CONSULTATION is a much devalued word these days.

It’s a wizard idea seized on by public bodies. The period allowed varies from weeks to months, but it seems to me that the original plan then goes ahead anyway.

Sure, there may be some tinkering, but the clue to the end result is often in the original declaration of intent.

Latest example – North Yorkshire County Council’s plans to switch off two-thirds of street lights for part of the night to save £400,000.

We all appreciate that savings have to be made, but to appease the greenies and EU targets the council also sells the line that nearly 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved.

I’d have been more impressed if light pollution was the hook.

The council rightly recognises there will be public concerns and is committed to “full engagement with local communities”.

Consultation is to be central to the delivery of any savings. Only “non-essential” lights will be switched off.

But if they were not essential why were they installed in the first place? How many muggings and crashes will be needed before their value is revealed?

My doubts about the value of consultation were confirmed when I read in the explanatory council statement that the executive has already agreed that the first area to have lights switched off will be the A63 Selby bypass and the scheme is likely to be completed later this year.

Godfrey Bloom, UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, Main Street, Wressle, Selby.